Sequestration and the real world

The Washington Post had an article on June 30, 2013 titled “They said the sequester would be scary.  Mostly, they were wrong.”  It said the effects were largely mitigated by political means and methods after all.   I just want to say that for us at ATI, the predictions of large cutbacks are mostly correct.  It […]
The Washington Post had an article on June 30, 2013 titled “They said the sequester would be scary.  Mostly, they were wrong.”  It said the effects were largely mitigated by political means and methods after all.  
I just want to say that for us at ATI, the predictions of large cutbacks are mostly correct.  It has had a tremendously adverse effect with attendance at public courses down more than 40 %  People either do not have money for travel and/ or they do not have money for training.  Both training and travel are the first to be cut in a tight budget.  The story that best illustrates this came to me from a gentleman who, along with his colleague, had registered –and paid- to attend one of our courses last winter.  In the eleventh hour they had to withdraw as travel funding was no longer permitted.
  I contacted him when the course was next being held to find out if they might be able to attend this time and the answer was “no”.  He elaborated, “They’ve even stopped cutting the grass (knee high is some places) and our restrooms only get cleaned twice a week.  Sequestration is hurting us badly.”   To this I responded, “Holy cow! Knee high grass.”   He came back with, “We could use a few cows.”  
Please feel free to share your Sequestration story.


Sign Up For ATI Courses eNewsletter

   

Furlough Fridays Anthem or How To Deal With Sequestration

  Sequestration and recently introduced “Furlough Fridays” have affected a lot of our customers. Everybody deals with this situation differently, but some of us really embrace the meaning of the phrase “When life gives you lemon make lemonade”. Pentagon civilian employee, John Martin, did just that. “Furlough Fridays” is a song set in the style […]
  Sequestration and recently introduced “Furlough Fridays” have affected a lot of our customers. Everybody deals with this situation differently, but some of us really embrace the meaning of the phrase “When life gives you lemon make lemonade”. Pentagon civilian employee, John Martin, did just that. “Furlough Fridays” is a song set in the style of “Monday, Monday” by The Mamas & the Papas.

‘Furlough Fridays’

By John Martin

 

Download

Martin says, he just wanted to spread some good spirit. “It’s really a serious matter because it’s going to affect a lot of people. It’s going to hit some people hard. I was thinking what can I do to maybe lighten some spirits, so people can look at it and at least get a laugh,” says Martin. Listen to the song in full (on the right) and follow along with the lyrics below. “Furlough Fridays” Furlough Fridays, aren’t cool to me Furlough Fridays, I will be…losing money On Furlough Fridays, Furlough Fridays you can guarantee That Friday mornings I won’t worry bout a VTC Furlough Fridays, please go away Friday, Friday, it used to be my favorite day Oh, Friday mornings, are gonna be boring without any meetings On Furlough Fridays I’ll stay in bed, and watch Maury Every other day, every other day Every other day of the week is fine, yeah. But whenever Friday comes – but whenever Friday comes You may find me begging for a nickel and dime Furlough Fridays, aren’t cool to me Furlough Fridays, I will be …losing money Oh, Furlough Fridays, Furlough Fridays are a little scary Cause come October my wife may no longer be with me Every other day, every other day Every other day of the week is fine, yeah. But whenever Friday comes – but whenever Friday comes You may find me begging for a nickel and dime Furlough Fridays, please go away Friday, Friday, used to be my favorite day Woah, Furlough Fridays.please go away Furlough Fridays…please go away Whew Furlough Fridays Whew Furlough Fridays